Designation: A673/A673M − 07 (Reapproved 2012) American Association State Highway

and Transportation Officials

Standard
Standard AASHTO No.: T 243

Standard Specification for

Sampling Procedure for Impact Testing of Structural Steel 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A673/A673M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revis
revision.
ion. A number in parentheses
parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Sco
Scope
pe 3. Order
Ordering
ing Information
Information
1.1 This specification
specification covers the proced
procedureure for longi
longitudina
tudinall 3.1 The inquiry and order
order shall indicate the following:
following:
Charpy
Char py V-no
-notch
tch test
testing
ing of str
struct
uctura
urall stee
steell and con
contain
tainss two 3.1.1 Frequ
Frequency
ency of testing, (P) or (H),
frequencies of testing. The impact properties of steel can vary 3.1.2 Test temperature
temperature (see 4.5 and 4.6 4.6),
),
within the same heat and piece, be it as rolled, control rolled, 3.1.3 Minimu
Minimum m average absorbed energy
energy value (see 4.1
(see  4.1 and
 and
or heat treated. The purchaser should, therefore, be aware that 4.6),
4.6),
testing of one plate, bar, or shape does not provide assurance 3.1.4
3.1 .4 Tr
Trans
ansver
verse
se imp
impact
act test ori
orient
entatio
ationn for pla
plate
te wid
widths
ths
all plates, bars, or shapes of the same heat as processed will be over 24 in. [600 mm], if desired (see  4.2.2
 4.2.2),
),
identical in toughness with the product tested. Normalizing or 3.1.5 Altern
Alternate
ate core location (see 4.3
4.3),
), if applicable, and
quenching and tempering the product will reduce the degree of  3.1.6 Condi
Condition
tion (as-rolled,
(as-rolled, stress relieved,
relieved, norm
normalized,
alized, nor-
variation. malized and stress relieved, or quenched and tempered).
1.2 This specification
specification is intend
intended
ed to supp
supplement
lement specifica-
specifica- 4. Tests
tions for structural steel when so specified.
4.1 Impact testing
testing shall be in accordance
accordance with Test
Test Methods
1.3 Th
1.3 This
is sp
spec
ecifi
ificat
catio
ion
n do
does
es no
nott ne
neces
cessa
sari
rily
ly ap
appl
ply
y to all and Definitions  A370
 A370.. An impact test shall consist of testing
product specifications; therefore, the manufacturer or processor thre
threee sp
speci
ecime
mens
ns tak
taken
en fr
from
om a si sing
ngle
le tes
testt co
coup
upon
on or te test
st
should be consulted for energy absorption levels and minimum location, the average result of which shall be not less than the
testing temperatures that can be expected or supplied. minimum average absorbed energy specified in the purchase
1.4 Two frequencies
frequencies of testing (P and H) are prescr
prescribed.
ibed. order, which in no case shall be less than 7 ft·lbf [10 J] for full
1.5 The values stated in either inch-poun
inch-pound d units or SI units size specim
specimens.
ens.
are to be regarded as standard. Within the text, the SI units are 4.2 Except as as allowed by by 4.3
 4.3,,  specimens for plates and bars
shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not shall be taken from a location adjacent to the location specified
exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used inde- for the tension test specimen, and specimens for shapes shall be
pendently of the other. Combining values from the two systems taken from a location at an end of the shape at a point one third
may result in nonconformance with this specification. the distance from the outer edge of the flange or leg to the web
or heel of the shape (see Fig.
(see  Fig. 1 and
1  and Fig.
 Fig. 2).
2). For plates produced
2. Referenc
Referenced
ed Documents
Documents
from coils, three impact tests shall be taken from the product of 
2.1   ASTM Standards: 2 each coil or qualifying coil (see Section 5); one test coupon
A6/A6M Specification
A6/A6M  Specification for General Requirements for Rolled shall
shall be obobtai
taine
nedd frfrom
om a lo loca
catio
tionn adadjajacen
centt to th
thee lo
locat
catioion
n
Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling speci
specifie
fiedd fo
forr ea
each
ch of th thee two re requ
quirired
ed ten
tensio
sion
n te
tests
sts (s (see
ee
A370 Test
A370  Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing Specification   A6/A6M)
A6/A6M) an andd ththee ththird
ird test coupon
coupon sh shall
all be
of Steel Products obtai
ob taine
ned
d fr
from
om a lo locat
catio
ionn imm
immed edia
iatel
tely
y afafte
terr th
thee las
lastt pl
plate
ate
produced to the qualifying specification.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee  A01 A01 on
 on Steel, 4.2.1
4.2.1 Exc
Except
ept as allo
allowed
wed by   4.2.2,
4.2.2,   the longitudinal axis of 
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee each specimen shall be parallel to the final direction of rolling
A01.02 on
A01.02  on Structural Steel for Bridges, Buildings, Rolling Stock and Ships.
Current
Curre nt editio
edition
n approv
approved
ed March 1, 2012. Published
Published April 2012. Origin
Originally
ally
of the plate or parallel to the major axis of the shape.
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as A673/A673M – 07. 4.2.2 If specified in the purchase
purchase order, for plate widths over
DOI: 10.1520/A0673_A0673M-07R12. 24 in. [600 mm], the longitudinal axis of each specimen shall
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
be transverse to the final direction of rolling of the plate.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For  Annual Book of ASTM 
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 4.2.
4.2.3
3 The lo long
ngitu
itudi
dina
nall ax
axis
is of eac each h sp
speci
ecime
men n sh
shalalll be
the ASTM website. located
loc ated midway
midway bet betwee
ween n the surface
surface and the cen center
ter of the

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); 1

 A673/A673M − 07 (2012)

NOTE  1— LT  (Longitudinal
  (Longitudinal tensile test) For widths through 24 in. [600 mm], may be taken at any location,  A  through  H .
NOTE  2— TT  (Transverse
  (Transverse tensile test) For widths over 24 in. [600 mm], may be taken at location B ,  C ,  F , or  G .
NOTE  3— CIL  (Charpy impact longitudinal) May be taken at any location, A  through  H .
NOTE  4— CIT  (Charpy
  (Charpy impact transverse) For widths over 24 in. [600 mm], may be taken at location  B ,  C ,  F , or  G .
FIG. 1 Plate Test Location

NOTE  1— CIL  = Charpy impact longitudinal.

longitudinal.
NOTE  2—Test coupon for impact specimens may be taken from locations  A ,  B ,  C , or  D  as shown laid out at location  A .
FIG. 2 Shape Test Location

produc
productt th
thic
ickn
knes
ess,
s, an
andd th
thee le
leng
ngth
th of ththee no
notc
tch
h sh
shal
alll be 4.6 The manufacturer
manufacturer shall
shall have the option of using a lower
perpendicular to the rolled surface of the product. testt tem
tes tempe
pera
ratu
ture
re th
than
an is sp
speci
ecifie
fiedd in th
thee pu
purc
rcha
hase
se or
orde
derr,
4.3 For shapesshapes with a flan
flange
ge thickness
thickness equal to or greater
greater provid
pro vided
ed that the abs
absorb
orbed
ed ene
energ
rgy
y val
values
ues spe
specifi
cified
ed in the
than 1 1 ⁄ 2  in. [38.1 mm], where alternate core location testing is purchase order are met.
specified in the purchase order, the longitudinal axis of each 4.7 The actual test temperature
temperature used shall be reported with
specimen shall be located midway between the inner flange the test results.
surface and the center of the flange thickness at the intersection
with the web mid-thickness (see Fig.
(see  Fig. 3)
3). 5. Frequency of Testing
Testing
4.4 The absorbed
absorbed energy values obtained
obtained for subsize speci- 5.1   Frequ
Frequenc
encyy (H) Hea
Heatt Test
esting
ing for Pla
Plates
tes,, Sha
Shapes
pes,, and 
mens shall not be less than the applicable
applicable values given in Table
in Table  Bars— OneOne impact test (a set of three specimens)
specimens) shall be made
1, wh
which
ich ar
aree pr
prop
opor
ortio
tiona
nall to ththee ab
abso
sorb
rbed
ed en
ener
ergy
gy va
valu
lues
es for each 50 tons [45 Mg] of the same type of product subject
required
required for full-
full-size
size specim
specimens.
ens. to the requirements of this specification produced on the same
4.5 Exc
Except
ept as allowed
allowed by 4.6
4.6,,  the test temperature shall be mill from the same heat of steel. The impact test(s) shall be
as specified in the purchase order. taken from difdifferen
ferentt as-ro
as-rolled
lled or heat-t
heat-treated
reated pieces. Impac
Impactt

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); 2

 A673/A673M − 07 (2012)

NOTE  1—The notch for any of the specimens can be on either side of the beam centerline.
FIG. 3 Alter
Alternate
nate Core Locat
Location
ion for CVN Specimens

TABLE 1 Equivalent Absorbed Energy for Various Specimen Sizes

Full Size, 3
 ⁄ 4  Size, 2
 ⁄ 3  Size, 1
 ⁄ 2  Size, 1
 ⁄ 3  Size, 1
 ⁄ 4  Size,
10 by 10 mm 10 by 7.5 mm 10 by 6.7 mm 10 by 5 mm 10 by 3.3 mm 10 by 2.5 mm
ft ·l b f [J ] ft· l b f [J ] ft· l b f [J ] f t·l b f [J ] ft ·l b f [J ] ft ·l b f [J ]
40 [ 54 ] 30 [ 41 ] 27 [3 7 ] 20 [2 7 ] 13 [1 8 ] 10 [1 4 ]
35 [ 48 ] 26 [ 35 ] 23 [3 1 ] 18 [2 4 ] 12 [1 6 ] 9 [1 2 ]
30 [ 41 ] 22 [ 30 ] 20 [2 7 ] 15 [2 0 ] 10 [1 4 ] 8 [11]
25 [ 34 ] 19 [ 26 ] 17 [2 3 ] 12 [1 6 ] 8 [11] 6 [8 ]
20 [ 27 ] 15 [ 20 ] 13 [1 8 ] 10 [1 4 ] 7 [1 0 ] 5 [7 ]
16 [ 22 ] 12 [ 16 ] 11 [1 5 ] 8 [11] 5 [7 ] 4 [5 ]
15 [ 20 ] 11 [ 15 ] 10 [1 4 ] 8 [11] 5 [7 ] 4 [5 ]
13 [ 18 ] 10 [ 14 ] 9 [ 12 ] 6 [8 ] 4 [5 ] 3 [4 ]
12 [ 16 ] 9 [1 2 ] 8 [11] 6 [8 ] 4 [5 ] 3 [ 4]
10 [ 14 ] 8 [11] 7 [ 10 ] 5 [7 ] 3 [4 ] 2 [ 3]
7 [1 0 ] 5 [7 ] 5 [7 ] 4 [5 ] 2 [3 ] 2 [ 3]

specimens shall be selected from the thickest material rolled same nominal shape size, excluding length, from each heat in
subject to the following modifications: When material rolled up the as-rolled condition. If the shapes are heat treated, one test
to 2 in. [50 mm] inclusive in thickness differs 3 ⁄ 8  in. [10 mm] shall be taken from each heat of each furnace lot. For shapes
or more in thickness, one impact test shall be made from both heat treated in a continuous furnace, a lot shall not exceed 15
the thickest and thinnest material rolled. When material rolled tons [15 Mg].
over 2 in. [50 mm] in thickness differs 1 in. [25 mm] or more 5.2.3   Bars— One
One Charpy V-notch impact test (a set of three
in th
thic
ickn
kness
ess,, on
onee im
impa
pact
ct te
test
st sh
shall
all be mamadede fr
from
om boboth
th th
thee specimens) shall be made for each 5 tons [5 Mg] of the same
thickest and thinnest material rolled that is more than 2 in. [50 heat and same diameter or thickness if the material is furnished
mm] in thic thickne
kness.
ss. If ins
insuf
uffficie
icient
nt pie
pieces
ces of the thi thicke
ckest
st or as rolled or is heat treated in a continuous-type furnace. For
thinnest material are produced to permit compliance with the material heat treated in a noncontinuous furnace, one test shall
above, then testing may proceed to the next nearest thickness be taken from each heat of the same bar diameter or thickness
available. When plates are produced from coils, three impact for each furnace charge.
tests shall be taken from each qualifying coil (see 4.2 4.2).
). One
such coil shall be tested for each 50 tons [45 Mg] of the same 6. Heat Treatmen
Treatmentt
product
produ ct produced on the same mill from the same heat of steel.
6.1 The material shall
shall be heat treated when specified
specified on the
When material from one heat differs 1 ⁄ 16 16  in. [2 mm] or more in
purchase order.
thick
thickne
ness
ss,, tes
tests
ts sh
shall
all be mamadede fr
from
om bobothth th
thee th
thic
icke
kest
st an
andd
thinnes
thinnestt mate
material
rial rol
rolled
led reg
regard
ardless
less of the num number
ber of coicoils
ls 6.2
6. 2 Wh
Whenen th
thee pl
plate
atess ar
aree to be su
supp
pplie
lied
d in ththee as
as-r
-rol
olle
led
d
represented. condition
condition the man
manufa
ufactur
cturer
er or pro
proces
cessor
sor (se
(seee Spe
Specific
cificatio
ation
n
A6/A6M))  has the optio
A6/A6M optionn to heat treat the plates by normalizing
normalizing
5.2   Frequency (P) Piece Testing:
or stress relieving or normalizing and stress relieving to meet
5.2.1   Plates— One
O ne Ch
Char
arpy
py V-n
-not
otch
ch imp
impact
act tes
testt (a se
sett of 
the desired toughness properties.
three
three spe
specime
cimens)
ns) sha
shall
ll be mad
madee fro
from
m each pla plate-a
te-as-r
s-rolle
olled
d
except for material that has been heat treated by quenching and 6.3 When the fabricator
fabricator elects to perform the required
required heat
temperi
temp ering,
ng, in whi
which
ch case spe
specime
cimens
ns sha
shall
ll be sel
selecte
ected
d fro
from
m treatment or fabricates by hot forming instead of heat treating,
each heat-treated plate. When plates are produced from coils, thee pl
th plate
atess sh
shall
all be acc
accep
epted
ted on ththee ba
basi
siss of tes
tests
ts mad
madee on
three impact tests shall be taken from each coil. full-thickness specimens heat treated in accordance with the
5.2.2   Shapes— One
One Charpy
Charpy V-no-notch
tch impact test (a set of  purchaser’
purch aser’ss order requirements.
requirements. If the heat treatmen
treatmentt temper
tempera-
a-
three specimens) shall be made from at least each 15 tons [15 tures are not indicated on the purchase order, the manufacturer
Mg] or each single length of 15 tons [15 Mg] or more, of the or processor shall heat treat the specimens under conditions

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); 3

 A673/A673M − 07 (2012)

considered appropriate for grain refinement and to meet the 8.1.1 Test reports shall show the results of each test required
toughness requirements. The plate manufacturer or processor by the specification. However, for (H) frequency, only one test
shall inform the purchaser of the procedure followed in treating need be reported when the amount of material from a shipment
the specime
specimens.
ns. is less than 50 tons [45 Mg] or two tests when the amount of 
material from a shipment is 50 tons [45 Mg] or more.
7. Rete
Retests
sts
8.1.2 The thickness
thickness of the prod
product
uct tested may not necessar-
necessar-
7.1
7.1 If mo
more
re th
than
an on
onee in
indi
divi
vidu
dual
al tes
testt va
valu
luee is be
belo
low
w th
thee ily be the same as an individual ordered thickness when (H)
specified minimum average value, or if individual test value is heatt test
hea testing
ing is ordordere
ered.
d. Tests frofrom m mate
materia
riall thic
thickne
knesse
ssess in
below the greater of 5 ft·lbf [7 J] and two thirds of the specified accorda
acco rdance
nce with 5.1 and enc encomp
ompassassing
ing the thi
thickn
cknesse
essess in a
minimum
minimu m averag
averagee value, a retest of three additional
additional specimens shipment shall be sufficient for qualifying the material in the
shall be made, and each individual test value for such retest shipment. These test thicknesses may or may not be within
shall be equal to or greater than the specified minimum average previously tested and shipped thicknesses from the same heat.
value. 8.1.3
8.1.3 For plates produce
produced d fro
fromm coi
coils,
ls, all thr
three
ee test results
results
7.2 If the req
requir
uired
ed ene
energ
rgy
y val
values
ues are not obtained
obtained upo
uponn shall be reported for each qualifying
qualifying coil. If only half or less of 
retest, the material may at the option of the manufacturer or a coil is utilized, then only one test from the outer lap and one
processor be heat treated in the case of as-rolled material or from the innermost portion shipped need be reported.
reheat treated in the case of heat-treated material. 8.1.4 For plates produced
produced from coils, both the manufacturer
manufacturer
7.3 Aft
After
er heat tre
treatme
atment
nt or reh
reheat
eat treatment
treatment a set of thr
three
ee and processor shall be identified on the test report.
specimens shall be tested and qualified in the same manner for 8.1.5 A signa
signature
ture is not required
required on the test report. However
However,,
the original material. the document shall clearly identify the organization submitting
the rep
report
ort.. Not
Notwit
withst
hstand
anding
ing the abs
absenc
encee of a sigsignatu
nature,
re, the
7.4 If the imp
impact
act test fail
failss for the thickest
thickest pro
produc
ductt test
tested
ed
organization submitting the report is responsible for the content
when testing to frequency (H) that material shall be rejected
of the report.
and the nex
nextt thi
thicke
ckest
st mate
materia
riall tes
tested
ted to qua
qualify
lify the hea
heatt in
accorda
acco rdance
nce wit
withh 4.1
4.1.. At the opt
option
ion of the man
manufa
ufactu
cturer
rer or 8.1.6 When finished
finished material is supplied to a purchase order order
process
pro cessor
or ret
retests
ests may be mad madee on the rejected
rejected mat
materia
eriall in specifying
specif ying ASTM A673 A673/A673
/A673M,M, the orga
organizatio
nization n supp
supplying
lying
which case each piece shall be accepted or rejected on the basis that material shall provide the purchaser with a copy of the
of the results of its own test. original
origin al manuf
manufacturer
acturer’s
’s test repor
report.
t.

8. Test Reports
Reports 9. Keywo
Keywords
rds
8.1 Test rep
report
ortss for each hea
heatt sup
suppli
plied
ed are required
required when 9.1 charpy
charpy V-no -notch;
tch; imp
impact;
act; sam
sampli
pling
ng pro
proced
cedure
ure;; stee
steel;
l;
specified by the purchase order. structural steel; testing

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. VARIA
ARIATION
TION IN CHAR
CHARPY
PY V-NOTC
-NOTCH
H TEST
TESTS
S

X1.1
X1. 1 A survey
survey of the var variati
iation
on to be exp
expecte
ected
d in Cha
Charpy
rpy specimens could be broken at three test temperatures defined
V-no
-notch
tch test res
result
ultss obt
obtain
ained
ed fro
from
m thr
three
ee com
common
mon fine gra grain
in for each grade. The data is presented in tables of probability
platee ste
plat steels
els was conducte
conducted d by the American
American Iron and Steel that impact properties at other than the official location which
3
Institute (AISI). The results of the survey are contained in a may differ from those of the reported test location. Additional
Contributions to the Metallurgy of Steel entitled, “The Varia- data of the same type, but utilizing samples from thicker plates,
tions
tions of Ch Char
arpy
py V-N -Nototch
ch Im
Impapact
ct Tes
estt Pr
Prop
oper
ertie
tiess in Ste
Steel
el was published by AISI as SU/27. 4 Another survey sponsored
Plates,’’’ (SU/2
Plates,’ (SU/24),
4), published January 1979. The surve survey y data by the AISI, entitled “Statistical Analysis of Structural Plate
consists of test values obtained from six locations in addition to Mechanical Properties” was published in January 2003. 5 That
the locations shown in  Fig. 1   of this specification. The plate study analyzed the impact properties of more modern higher
conditions tested involved as-rolled, normalized, and quench strength as-rolled structural plate steels.
and tempered. Sufficient full-size specimens were taken from
each sample so tha thatt thr
three
ee lon
longit
gitudi
udinal
nal and thr
three
ee tra
transv
nsvers
ersee
4
“The Variations
Variations in Charpy V-Notc
V-Notch
h Impact Properties in Steel Plates” originally
published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), July 1989.
3 5
Originally published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Available Availab
vailable
le from American Iron and Steel Instit
Institute
ute (AISI), 114
11400 Conne
Connecticut
cticut
from ASTM Headquarters as PCN:29-000390-02. Ave., NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20036, http://www.steel.org.

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); 4

 A673/A673M − 07 (2012)
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